Dr. Tarhini received his Ph.D. from The University of Toledo, Ohio. His research encompasses the finite element analysis of highway bridges, field and laboratory testing of structures and construction materials. Dr. Tarhini has over 25 years of professional experience in consulting and academia. Dr. Tarhini served as an Assistant and Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at Valparaiso University from 1990 until 2001. The last two years at Valparaiso University served as Chair of Civil Engineering.

Before joining the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in August 2008, Dr. Tarhini was a Senior Structural Engineer for STV Inc. (Stratford) and Gannett Fleming (New York City). He was assigned to review or perform the analysis and design of fourteen highway bridges in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Florida. Areas of expertise include structural analysis and design of buildings (using structural steel, reinforced concrete, and reinforced masonry), forensic engineering, bridge engineering, soils and foundation engineering, traffic engineering, engineering mechanics, probability and statistics for civil engineers, elementary surveying, construction material testing, and the rehabilitation of existing structures.

Dr. Tarhini authored or co-authored 28 referred journal papers and 79 conference papers. Most of the papers were the results of collaboration with colleagues at the University of Toledo, University of Nevada Las Vegas, American University of Beirut, Valparaiso University and U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Education:

Ph.D. Engineering Mechanics, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, 1988

M.S.C.E. (Structures and Foundations), University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, 1982

B.S.C.E. Magna Cum Laude, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, 1981

Courses Taught:

Civil Engineering Materials Laboratory

Statics and Engineering Design

Mechanics of Materials, Lecture and Laboratory

Soil Mechanics

Structural Analysis I

Reinforced Concrete Design

Senior Capstone Design Team Advisor

Selected Publications and Presentations:

K. Tarhini and D. Vandercoy “Engineer’s Role is Accident Reconstruction” Proceedings of the SEM Annual Conference on Experimental and Applied Mechanics – Measurements in Advanced Materials and Systems. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, June 2002.

R. Ezyk and K. Tarhini “Replacing The Moses Wheeler Bridge” Proceedings of the 21st Annual International Bridge Conference – Lessons From Around the World, Pittsburgh, PA, June 14-16, 2004.

H. Jackson, K. Tarhini, and S. Zelmanowitz “Addressing Globalization in Civil Engineering at the United States Coast Guard Academy.” Proceedings of the 39th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, San Antonio, Texas, October 2009.

H. Jackson, K. Tarhini, and S. Zelmanowitz “Infusing Industry, Community, and the Coast Guard into the Civil Engineering Program at the United States Coast Guard Academy.” 39th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, San Antonio, Texas, October 2009.

J. Russell, K. Tarhini, and H. Jackson “Work-In-Progress: United States Coast Guard Academy Robotics on Water – New Program for STEM and Diversity Outreach.” Proceedings of the 40th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, Washington, DC, October 2010.